Human Rights Watch (HRW) has called for accountability regarding toxic spills affecting children living near the Lega Dembi gold mine in Ethiopia. On October 19, 2023, HRW urged the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child (CRC) to prompt the Ethiopian government to suspend mining operations and implement measures to protect children’s health.
Residents near the Lega Dembi mine, particularly children, have faced severe health problems linked to toxic chemicals, including mercury, lead, and arsenic. Reports indicate these issues have persisted for years, underscoring the need for immediate action. HRW noted that the Ethiopian government has not honored previous commitments to pause mining activities until environmental concerns were adequately addressed, following widespread protests between 2018 and 2021. Instead, the government reopened the mine without public notification and entered into a confidential memorandum of understanding with Midroc Investment Group, the company that operates the mine.
As the CRC prepares to engage with the Ethiopian government regarding children’s rights, HRW recommends that the UN take this opportunity to advocate for the suspension of mining operations. The organization is calling for an independent investigation into the health and environmental impacts of the mine, as well as the provision of effective remedies for victims, including compensation, justice, and medical care.
Article 24 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child mandates that states implement all necessary measures to reduce child mortality and protect children from environmental hazards. Additionally, the convention requires companies to conduct human rights due diligence to ensure their activities do not lead to abuses. In 2022, the UN Human Rights Council recognized the right to a healthy environment, which includes living in a clean and sustainable environment and having access to justice.
The Lega Dembi mine stands as the largest gold mine in the Oromia region of Ethiopia. Its operation has led to significant environmental degradation and serious health issues for local communities. According to a 2022 report by the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and the Environment, the mine has exposed thousands of Ethiopians to heavy metal poisoning and contaminated the surrounding environment.
The report highlighted similar issues in other countries, including Peru, Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Brazil, which also suffer from mining-related toxic contamination. Furthermore, HRW has indicated that affected communities often struggle to obtain effective remedies and justice, leaving many residents without compensation or reparations for the environmental and health damages they have endured.
With the situation at the Lega Dembi mine continuing to pose grave risks to local populations, the international community awaits the response of the Ethiopian government and the actions that will be taken to address these pressing human rights and environmental concerns.
